On end zones and the 'Canes

Sanchez enjoys memorable night to coincide with alma mater

Here are some of the notable quotes from around Major League Baseball this week:

"It was fate, one of those coincidences that happen once in a while. It was like being almost back home with all the mascots, the band playing, the Hurricanes giving the C-A-N-E-S. It was a real nice experience being out there. It was perfect timing."

-Rookie Gaby Sanchez on hitting his first Major League home run on the night the Marlins were honoring the University of Miami, Sanchez's alma mater.
(South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

"I don't have any friends in Chicago, so [I thought] maybe this was a wrong [number], and I just ignored it maybe for two hours."

-So Taguchi, Chicago Cubs outfielder, who was recalled on Tuesday from Triple-A Iowa to join the Cubs.
(MLB.com)

"Worst-case scenario [is] to be in the Minor Leagues, but the best-case scenario is to be in the same position I'm in right now. If this is my role from now until I'm 30, that's fine; if this is my role for the rest of my career, that's fine, too."

-Rusty Ryal, Arizona rookie, on the difference between being a utility player in the Major Leagues compared to an everyday player in the Minors.
(Arizona Republic)

"I think he's been everything I expected him to be and maybe taken the extra step. I think with a first-year pitcher, you hope he lives up to what you expect from a first-year pitcher. I think what he's done is lived up to what you would expect from a third-year pitcher."

"From my 12th birthday 'til my last birthday last year, every single time I've wished that I get to the big leagues. I said, 'I want to be a Major League Baseball player.' I never made another wish. Not once."

"Whatever it takes. I saw Casey [McGehee] wasn't there yet, so I grabbed it and went to the bag. I saw the end zone and dived for it."

- Milwaukee reliever Todd Coffey, after picking up a slow roller and diving headfirst to tag third base for an out on Saturday.
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

"No, I don't think I'm going to go from this stuff to being 25 again and knocking the catcher over."

-Randy Johnson declaring their was no need for further rehearsals after a 50-pitch batting practice session on Monday.
(San Francisco Chronicle)

"It started even before he took over in center field, and it hasn't stopped. As soon as he's on base, it changes everything for the pitcher. And our guys know that the more attention the pitcher is paying to Rajai, the less attention they're paying to the hitter. They know they're gonna get something good to hit, and they've been taking advantage of that. It's been awesome."

-Brad Ziegler, A's pitcher, on the impact of Rajai Davis' speed on both the opposing pitcher and the rest of the A's lineup.
(MLB.com)

"It's impossible that we're going to have the exact same team members as this year next year. So, to get to enjoy this moment now with them ... makes me very joyful."

-Ichiro Suzuki on the beer shower given to him by teammates, led by Ken Griffey Jr., after he recorded his ninth straight 200-hit season..
(Seattle Times)

"Just like I do with everybody who's young in this game -- it can be from my team or the opposite side. I just want everybody to progress and have a great career. He's one of the guys right now; he's one of the best shortstops in the game. He has a lot of future if he can stay healthy."

"I don't really know. Sometimes, I feel like I have an advantage. It should be more of an advantage for the pitcher, but it's a matter of constant adjustments."

-Zack Greinke, pondering the advantages and disadvantages of being familiar with a certain player.
(Kansas City Star)

"It was nice and smooth. I threw sliders, changeups, everything -- good day at the office."

-J.C. Romero, Phillies reliever, who continues to rehab from a strained left forearm, after his bullpen session on Wednesday.
(MLB.com)

"I didn't feel anything at all for two, three hours. I fell asleep, and I felt like I slept for 24 hours, one day. That was great. [The procedure] was a little scary."

-Alfonso Soriano, after having arthroscopic surgery (left knee) for the first time in his career on Tuesday.
(MLB.com)

"I felt OK. I didn't have any pain. The arm strength wasn't quite where I want it to be, but I expected that. I did try to let a couple fastballs go, and not much happened. But I wasn't holding anything back. I wasn't trying to baby anything. I'm happy I passed the test."

-John Maine commenting on his start on Sunday against Philadelphia -- his first appearance since June 6.
(Newsday)

"You can play through the pain if you feel like you're helping the team win ballgames, but when you go out there and you don't feel like you're helping anyone, that's when you take a step back and figure you're doing more harm than good. We took a look at it and found out there was something in there."

-Justin Morneau, who will miss the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his lower back.
(St. Paul Pioneer Press)

"It's getting better. I can't circle a date just yet, but I'm getting to that point. Every day it's getting better, and I haven't had any setbacks. I would imagine, within the next day or two, I'll have a date circled of when I come back."